Composer

:

Orlande de Lassus

Genre

:

Vocal

Publication Date

:

1561

Average_duration

:

2:54

Orlande de Lassus was a prominent composer of the Renaissance period, known for his prolific output of sacred and secular music. One of his most famous works is the madrigal "O d'amarissime onde," S. viii/97, which was composed in the late 16th century. The madrigal is set for five voices and is written in the Italian language. It is a love song that uses the metaphor of the sea to describe the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The title translates to "Oh most bitter waves," and the text is full of vivid imagery of the sea and its dangers. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The second movement is faster and more lively, with the voices imitating each other in a polyphonic texture. The final movement returns to the slow, mournful character of the first, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture once again. The madrigal is notable for its use of chromaticism, which was a new and innovative technique at the time. Lassus uses chromaticism to create a sense of tension and dissonance, which reflects the emotional intensity of the text. The piece also features expressive word painting, with the music mirroring the meaning of the words. "O d'amarissime onde" premiered in the late 16th century and quickly became one of Lassus's most popular works. It has since been performed and recorded by numerous ensembles and remains a beloved piece of Renaissance music.

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